Streetcar to change Milwaukee fire operations

Major changes underway downtown will soon have Milwaukee’s controversial streetcar up-and-running. The TODAY’S TMJ4 I-Team found out the new rail system will also cause changes to Milwaukee’s public safety plans.

Milwaukee’s public safety officials will have to learn an entirely new system with tracks, the cars and dangerous electric wires. The streetcar will also require the public to learn a few new things.

“This is new infrastructure in the public way,” explained City Engineer Jeff Polenske. With that comes a learning curve.

“We’ve got to be able to readily deliver whatever we have available to anyone that’s in need in this city,” said Deputy Chief Aaron Lipski of the Milwaukee Fire Department. In some places, Lipski tells the I-Team the streetcar will make that more difficult.